Plein Air Buds Will Be At Col Frances Beatty Park

The Plein Air Buds will be painting at Col Beatty Park in Matthews on Weddington Rd at around 10 AM tomorrow, Tuesday 5/1. All artists are welcome and there's no charge or membership requirements. For more information email Debbie at dyacenda@aol.com. Afterwards the group usually gets together for lunch. This time it's Mario's at nearby Plantation Market Shopping Ctr. Hope to see lots of painting at the park...

MAG Serving Up "Alcoholic Inks" with June Rollins Workshop

June Rollins painting done with alcohol inks

Not familiar with alcohol inks? We can fix that with a workshop with June Rollins! Visit her web site for a short demo (http://junerollins.com/junerollins.com/Art_Demo_Videos.html) and then sign up for the 3-hour workshop for a more indepth exposure! It's vibrantly beautiful and simple and most importantly FUN! Here is the schedule:

Thurs. May 17 (1-4)        Cancelled

Thurs. May 24 (9-12)     Cancelled

Thurs. May 24 (1-4)        Cancelled

Sat. May 5 (1-4)             Cancelled

Sat. June 2 (9-12)          Cancelled

Sat. June 2 (1-4)            Cancelled

Contact Nancy Kennedy at mag@nc-kennedy.com for more information and put Alcohol Inks Workshop in the subject line, please. All workshops will take place at the Matthews Community Ctr (100 McDowell St. East, Matthews, NC 28105; 704-321-7275). Cost is $35 ($30 for MAG members).

Life Drawing Wednesday Nights

"Tom" by Jack

Tom, Jack and Nancy will have everything ready Wednesday night at 7 PM at the Matthews Community Ctr for the weekly life drawing session. Thank them! All artists, 18 and older, are welcome. Charge is a mere $5-10... all depends on how many there are to split the model fee. So reduce the cost... bring an artist friend!

Plein Air Buds At The Piedmont Medical Ctr Trail (Riverwalk)

Carol Connaughton creating oil landscape

Scott Boyle painting trees by the Catawba River

The Catawba River at the Piedmont Medical Ctr Trail

Six of the Plein Air Buds made it out to the Piedmont Medical Ctr. Trail (formerly known as Riverwalk Trail) to paint by the Catawba River. The weather was sunny and cool... perfect. No one ventured too far down the 2.25 mile trail but it wasn't necessary. There were beautiful scenes all along the trail. We later went out to lunch at Old Town Bistro in historic downtown Rock Hill then later visited the arts center nearby. We met artist David Freeman at his studio and chatted a while... loved it.

Next time? We will be at Col Francis Beatty Park on Weddington Road, Tuesday, 5/1, at 10 AM... weather permitting. We welcome all artists of all abilities. There is no charge and no membership requirements. We're a laid back group not wanting to bother with so many rules that would keep us from doing what we love... painting. Join us!

Hmmm.... Something Isn't Quite Right

Self-Portrait by Kevin Brown

New River 1 by Robert Brooks

Got a painting that is bugging you for some reason? Can't quite figure out what's wrong... or right about it? Bring it on by to MAG's next meeting on Tuesday night, 5/8 at 6:30 (social time then meeting starts at 7 PM) at the Matthews Community Ctr. Our encouragers (we don't like the word critics) are Kevin Brown and Robert Brooks. They will certainly boost your artistic endeavor with the good stuff they find and gently suggest ways to improve your painting too. May have time to critique two paintings! Bring an extra just in case.



Plein Air Buds Will Be At RiverWalk in Rock Hill, SC

RiverWalk at Rock Hill, NC

The Plein Air Buds are a casual group of artists of different medium who meet weekly at different locations to simply create art. We don't judge; we encourage one another in our endeavors. All artists of all ability levels are welcome to join us. We will be at the RiverWalk (http://www.cityofrockhill.com/dynSubPageSub.aspx?deptID=9999&pLinkID=660&parentID=13) Tuesday, 4/24, from 10 AM to about 1 PM and then... we go out to lunch as a group (not required, we just like to socialize too). Want more info? Email Debbie at dyacenda@aol.com. 

MAG Meets UMAR Arts at McGill Rose Garden

Debbie posing with fellow artists from UMAR Arts Center



UMAR is a nonprofit Methodist organization providing art instruction 5 days a week for 6 hours to students with developmental disabilities. They collaborate with McGill Rose Garden to provide horticulture as well as artistic training to develop job skills for future employment. Meeting them was a pure delight and they are looking for donations and volunteers. Learn more at http://umarinfo.com. 

Life Drawing Tonight

Nancy, Jack and Tom have things ready tonight, and every Wednesday night, at 7 PM at the Matthews Community Ctr for life drawing. All artist 18 and older are welcome. The cost runs a mere $5-8 ($10 max) depending on how many attend to split the model fee. Make sure you thank your trio of hosts for making this possible. Wouldn't be possible without them.

"Tom" by Jack

McGill Rose Garden Paint Out

We had 8 Plein Air Buds come to the McGill Rose Garden in NoDa to paint the beautiful flowers in bloom. Pictured is Jen Spaker with her wonderful acrylics painting of the surrounding roses. Very nice time at Amelie's too! Hope to put up a picture of the new friends we made while there. 8 THUMBS UP!

Next Plein Air Location: McGill Rose Garden

Join the Plein Air Buds at McGill Rose Garden (http://www.mcgillrosegarden.com/), this Tuesday, 4/17, at around 10 AM for some en plein air style painting. Afterwards we will do lunch at 1 PM at Amelie's up the road. Sound like something that would interest you? It's free and open to all artists. You just pay for your own lunch. Email Debbie for more info at dyacenda@aol.com.

Posters due at Noon today!

Get your Matthews Alive! Poster Contest entry in today by noon at the Matthews Community Center. Got time to make one quick! $750 purchase prize and NO FEES.

Carmella Jarvi Workshop on Marketing Artwork Today!

Spaces still available for today's workshop with Carmella Jarvi. She will individualize her methods for each artist that attends. Cost is $45 ($40 for MAG members)and it's at the Matthews Community Ctr. From 1-4 PM. Contact Nancy at mag@nc-Kennedy.com or come by. Who knows? Might have room for you. Don't miss out!

Life Drawing Night!

All artists are welcome to participate in life drawing at the Matthews Community Center on Wednesday nights at 7. Only requirements are you must be at least 18 years old and please come a little early to set up so the session can begin promptly. Bring $5-8 in cash to help pay the model fee which is split equally by all participants. Also, thank Nancy, Tom and Jack for all they do to make this art outlet possible.

"Tom" by Jack

What is Your Brand?

MAG Guest Speaker Carmella Jarvi

Carmella Jarvi challenged the MAG members to think more deeply about how we view and market our art. She first asked each of us to describe our work in general terms, like: landscape, life sketches, florals, fantasy, etc... Then she asked, "What makes you different from other artists?" For sure, this was more difficult to answer. For her, the answer is, "I draw women in water." She continued to advise us to focus our art on what we enjoy and do best. When that happens you create a following... buyers who love a particular "brand" of art. She describes her clients as mostly middle-aged women with a love of water.

Once you establish your brand, how do you develop a following?

• Make sure you have marketing materials: business cards, flyers, postcards... anything that a potential buyer can hold on to; so they can remember you.
• Have internet presence: Linked, blog, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc... so your work can be viewed.
• GET OUT THERE! Be extroverted, even if it's hard, and have people KNOW YOU. Don't underestimate the power of networking.
• To help with networking, support causes and do it genuinely! People can tell when you're not being charitable.

Many thanks to Carmella for visiting with us. She will be holding a workshop on Thursday, April 12th, from 1-4 PM at the Matthews Community Center to give individual assistance on marketing. If you would like to take part, contact: Nancy Kennedy at mag@nc-kennedy.com.

Carmella Tonight!

You don't want to miss this one! Carmella Jarvi is one of Charlotte's best known artists... Why? Well, aside from possessing artistic talent she is also a businesswoman who has worked hard to market her efforts. Find out how she does it tonight at 6:30 PM (meeting begins at 7 PM) at the Matthews Community Center. Free and open to the public... don't need an ID... no passwords... no finger/ eye scans... no excuse. Join us!

MAG Meeting Tuesday, April 10 at 6:30 PM

We meet at the Matthews Community Center and our presenter is Carmella Jarvi. This one concerns promoting and marketing your artwork. Need help? Come on by and learn from one of Charlotte's foremost artists. More info at previous blog: http://matthewsartistguild.blogspot.com/2012/03/carmella-jarvi-to-speak-at-april-mag.html

Plein Air Buds Will Be At Christine Tidwell's

Monday is the day this week for en plein air with the Plein Air Buds. Usually it is Tuesday... the time is still 10 AM. If you'd like to meet with us or obtain more information, email Debbie at dyacenda@aol.com. Cost nothing to paint with us. When we eat out together it's dutch treat. We welcome all artists.

Carmella Jarvi Presentation and Workshop Next Week

The next MAG meeting is Tuesday, April 10th at 6:30 PM. Meetings are always free and open to the public. Come by and hear a presentation about artwork marketing by Carmella Jarvi (info here: http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2019500580071056990#editor/target=post;postID=8990463232596606908).

Then consider signing up for her workshop where she will apply her methods to help improve your own PR materials and online sites. If you have not started publicizing your work... then you really do need to come! More info here: http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2019500580071056990#editor/target=post;postID=3481957056205153640

Don't miss out!

Matthews Alive! Poster Contest

You've got until Friday the 13th at NOON, to create a poster to enter in the annual Matthews Alive! Poster Contest. Winner receives $750 for purchase of the poster. NO ENTRY FEE! Nothing to lose. Bring your poster to the Matthews Community Center desk along with a form and tag for artwork(s). What are you waiting for!

Click here for the Call For Artists:  http://www.matthewsalive.org/applications/2012_Call_for_Artists.pdf

Life Drawing Tonight

Nancy, Tom and Jack have developed quite a following with their life drawing art sessions. Join in and take advantage of this art form at the Matthews Community Center at 7 PM. Come early to set up so the session can start at 7 PM sharp! All artists, 18 and older, are welcome. Cost runs from $5-8. Participants split the model fee equally. Also, if you have the time, offer to help with putting things away. MAG really appreciates all the work done to make this possible.

Plein Air Buds Painting Tombstones

See what you missed! Get in the loop and join the Plein Air Buds of the Charlotte/Matthews area. Never know where we'll be next. To get our emails contact Debbie at dyacenda@aol.com.

59th Annual Mint Museum Garden Tour for Plein Air Artists

A ticket is required for this event and you can RSVP through Scott Boyle. All the info is at this link: http://charlottepleinairpainters.com/page/2012-garden-tour